Project Summary

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This contract implements a mitigation of marine-derived nutrient loss resulting from salmon extinction due to hydro project development in the Boise/Payette/Weiser subbasin. We will substitute the natural nutrient cycle provided by returning anadromous fish through application of anadromous fish carcasses, salmon analogs, and liquid fertilizer. To determine which treatment is most viable mitigation alternative in ecological and economic terms, we will replicate each of the 3 different applications in 3 stream reaches plus a control.

Explanations as to how the Council responded to the recommendations of the Independent Scientific Review Panel - the project sponsor proposed to continue this research project into the future. The IRSP concluded that the project met scientific criteria. The Council decided instead to recommend against further implementation. This research project completed its original objectives, and the Council deemed it a low priority to evolve the study design further.

This proposal is generally very complete and addresses a question of considerable importance to salmon recovery efforts in the Columbia River Basin. The development of a regional synthesis of the results of nutrient addition projects (with the aid of a 2011 conference) is badly needed and should be given priority. Project proponents should consider the questions and suggestions in the comments below as they move forward with this important effort.

This proposal is generally very complete and addresses a question of considerable importance to salmon recovery efforts in the Columbia River Basin. The development of a regional synthesis of the results of nutrient addition projects (with the aid of a 2011 conference) is badly needed and should be given priority. Project proponents should consider the questions and suggestions in the comments below as they move forward with this important effort.

The BiOp RM&E Workgroups made the following determinations regarding the proposal's ability or need to support BiOp Research, Monitoring and Evaluation (RME) RPAs. If you have questions regarding these RPA association conclusions, please contact your BPA COTR and they will help clarify, or they will arrange further discussion with the appropriate RM&E Workgroup Leads. BiOp RPA associations for the proposed work are: (0) All Questionable RPA Associations (0) and All Deleted RPA Associations (50.6)

This is a basic research project with implications to similar high elevation headwater areas. The project should generate new knowledge on trophic chains from salmon carcasses. This is a well-thought out and unique proposal that has a high likelihood of providing new and immediately useful information for both the research and management communities.

The proposal relates this work to objectives in the subbasin plan and other regional programs. The proposal does not directly relate the work to other projects with BPA funding. Collaboration with IDFG, U.S. Forest Service, and Idaho Power Company are noted.

The personnel are well qualified. The project reflects a nice mix of personnel from the management agency (IDFG) and from the academic community. Plans for information transfer include publication in peer-reviewed journals, but efforts to share lessons learned and successful results to others in the region on a timelier basis should be identified.

The sponsors responded very effectively to ISRP questions about how this work differs from other recent work and provided justification that this work is still needed. The work would be done in a set of conditions (blocked area, nutrient-poor batholith, and bull trout) that differ significantly from those of ongoing nutrient addition evaluations.

The response indicates that enough study sites are available, but the sample size question was not completely addressed. Instead, other studies where statistically significant results were obtained were cited. Before fieldwork is implemented the sponsors should conduct a sample size/power analysis to ensure that an adequate number of sites will be sampled to have a high probability of detecting biologically meaningful treatment differences.

Marine derived nutrient loss research, other entities authorized/required (other hydro operators; fishery managers etc). Note: rating changed from a "3" to a "2.3" following sponsor-identified cost-share between time of preliminary and final rating.